The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-12-13

little scene acquainted with each other.
So they walked home together, Grey
arguing with himself that it was of no
use trying to shirk good opportunity
of studying character when it came so
temptingly in his path.
After this he called on her, and as
they were both a trifle lonely and 0
tri1e odd. friendly acquaintance was
founded, and Ronald Grey grew to be
a constant visitor at Mrs. Chatham q
pension.
She took a strong interest i'm his
book, stronger. he some times thought
than in himself. and he never took the
trouble to inform her that she had just
attracted him as a study" and that
her lissome figure and peculiar, low
toned voice were gracing his favorits
heroine.
When they first spoke of his pur-
suits, she was startled. and exclaimed
quickly: you write? But is it pos
sible, can you be Mr.. Grey, Ronald
Grey. the author?"
THE very same" he said, smiling.
Then I think l know your name
quite well." she said, slow flush ris-
ing as she spoke. And then a light
broke on Mr.. Grey's ignorance, and he
began:
"Can it be that you"
YES" she interrupted. quietly. 81
am Mabel Chatham, Mrs. Thomas
Chatham, as l fancy you did not sus-
pect."
Now, Ronald Grey lived "out of the
world" or that small part of it which
we thus designate, and in q sphere
made up of a small element of literary
Bohemia and large element Of his
own idea; so that Tom Chatham's do
mestic trials were unknown to him.
and only a rumor reached him that all
was not as it should be in the Chatham
household. Now he thought he saw
great many things in a moment. and
he stammered and looked creditably
confused as he tried to pass it off easily,
and remarked:
"I am so pleased. Mrs. Chatham.
Tom is my oldest friend. YOU know.
though have not seen him in years.
and don't hear much of him. Why, il
must be long time since l last saw
him."
al haven't seen him in quite awhile
myself" remarked Mrs. Chatham, a
little dryly. Then. clasping her hands
and leaning forward, she looked rather
izedly at Mr.. Grey.
II suppose you have heard various
things about u.s." she said, land it
certainly is evident that am living
here alone. So if-that is-if you pre-
fer not to be-not to continue your
kindness to Mrs. Thomas Chatham.
under the circumstances, please be-
lieve you must do quite as you wish,
being my husbands oldest friend, you
know"
at may have been the tone that
piqued him, or the effect of the scarcely
perceptible softening on the last words.
but certainly he had no desire to dis
continue his acquaintance with Mrs.
Chatham.
II should hope you were not quite in
earnest in expecting me to change my
wishes so lightly" he replied. 81
think i was telling you only an hour
ago that wanted to try and see some
thing of you while at this place. and
also believe you know me to be man
of some decision. In fact, | am some
times described as obstinate.
So he saw her every day. and he
studied her every time he saw her,
and his story grew towards completion.
Often he wondered why she was living
in this way, but luckily his heroine had
no matrimonial difficulties, as heI
tribulations all came before her mar.
rage; so he had no need to solve his
problem in his "study's" character.
And yet he wasted his time in thinking
of it.
One day, to his surprise. he received
a letter from Tom Chatham:
"DEAR RONALD: have just found out whers
you are buried. My intention was to write yor
some time since, for I think our correspondence
might be better sustained. For q man WHIT
makes writing his business, you do about a
little, gratuitously rs any one ever knew.
don't intend to bore you much about my owl
affairs; suppose you have heard OF them, enc
there they rest But by the way, il you shoult
happen TO see Mrs. Chatham at your boins. d
nssy, should rather like some news Of her
She may possibly go there In the course o
the summer. You would be doing me ser
vice.
At this point Ronald dropped tn.
letter, looked at his watch, and seeing
it was time for drive he had plannet
with his study" thrust the unfinished
letter into his pocket and departed.
Either the pocket was shallow o.
else there is fate in these matters, TO
in the course of the afternoon, as h,
searched in his pocket for a piece o
manuscript, out came Tom Chatham
letter. A quick little exclamation
m ado him look nm Mrs Chatham hal